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Donald was the only tenant on the island
at the time and with him were six or seven families
of farm servants. The main form of agriculture was cattle
rearing. There are references in the Harris Estate Papers
that cattle were ferried from Harris to Skye and that
venison was frequently sent from Scalpay to Dunvegan
Castle.
Kelp was another important factor in the economy, and
fishing was a developing industry. Donald Campbell,
along with his son-in-law, Alexander MacLeod, tacksman
of Pabbay and of Saint Kilda, was a pioneer of the fishing
industry in Harris, which may well have provided the
basis for Alexander MacLeod's schemes in the 1780s.
An early attempt was made in1733 to start up the venture.
Donald Campbell had constructed a "Yole" (yawl),
and was also given funding from the MacLeod Estate to
buy salt: "By money given to Donald Campbell to
buy salt …£37.16.0" "By a fishing
yole made by Donald Campbell…£26.13.4"
There is no mention of whether the venture succeeded.
Donald was living through changing
times. The Macleod chief was constantly increasing the
rents to cover his extravagant life style. At the renewal
of tacks in1754, the rental of Harris was increased
by nearly 70%. The next renewal (due in1773) was brought
forward to 1769 and included a rise of around 50%. Tacksmen
and tenants were threatening to emigrate in protest.
Even those of the older generation like Donald and his
contemporary, Donald MacLeod, the "Old Trojan of
Berneray", who were about 80 at this time, were
considering the move.
In response to the discontent, MacLeod did reduce the
rents a little, but not enough to stem the tide.
There was another factor in the equation.
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